Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach (for less)

Review of Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific Discounts

In my attempt to visit all the coolest aquariums in California, I’m not likely to miss the Long Beach Aquarium, as most locals call it, aka Aquarium of the Pacific. This one is very popular. But if you need a new reason to visit the Aquarium in Long Beach, I’ll give you a few. Then if you decide to go, skip down this page for discount tickets currently available.

5 Reasons to Visit Aquarium of the Pacific Now

Here are my favorite five reasons to go to the Aquarium in Long Beach this year.

Sea jellies

The jellyfish exhibits and programs tell you more than you ever wanted to know about these otherworldly creatures.

Harbor seals

The first male harbor seal pup born at the Aquarium of the Pacific is growing up and has become a fan favorite, having joined the rest of the seals and sea lions in the Seal and Sea Lion Habitat.

Penguin chicks

A couple of penguin chicks that were born at the Aquarium last summer have now joined the other penguins in the June Keyes Penguin Habitat. Long Beach Aquarium celebrates their penguins’ birthdays in the summer, when most of them were born.

Sea life saturation

Where else can you can see more than 550 species of sea life in one 156,000 square foot facility?

Deals by the dozen

Readers are always asking for aquarium discount tickets, and to the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific in particular. So I keep those updated here. See my round-up several ways to save on tickets below.

Savvy tip: You can grab a free audio tour from the Aquarium of the Pacific audio tour page, with a choice of tours: Tropical Pacific Gallery Tour or Northern Pacific Gallery Tour.

12 Aquarium of the Pacific Coupons & Discounts

The discount ticket sources listed below all have different prices and terms, so take a look and see which ticket source works best for you, whether it’s the offer with the best price, a discount coupon code, or the deal with the easiest way to purchase. The best offers are from trusted ticket resellers that work with Aquarium of the Pacific to provide deals.

Savvy tip: Children under 3 years old always get in free.

1. Aquarium of the Pacific Discount Tickets 15% Off

{BEST OVERALL} I like this deal the best because there are no fees added, and they’re “any day” tickets. Save $6 PLUS an extra $1 off with coupon code LAAP1 at checkout. No Fees. No time restrictions. These tickets can be used any day all year — you don’t need to pick a date before you go. Print at Home tickets are available immediately. Option to show on your smart phone.

2. Aquarium of the Pacific Discount Tickets 50% Off

{BEST PRICE} This source offers the cheapest way to go, but fees will be added and restrictions apply. These are for Monday through Friday afternoons only (3pm to 6pm) any weekday you want to use them. (You don’t need to choose in advance). Tickets will be emailed to you.

3. Aquarium of the Pacific Discount Tickets 15% Off

{EASIEST} No time restrictions. Fee of only $2 added to purchase price at checkout. A real person answers the customer service number available if you need it.

4. Los Angeles Combo Discount Cards

{BEST PRICE} These are more attractive than they used to be because you can use them on your smart phone, you can choose as few or as many attractions as you want, and you have more time to use them up (30 days). Plus, even locals like the Build Your Own option that saves you 20% off or more on two or more activities, including the Aquarium.

5. Aquarium of the Pacific AT NIGHT

{DISCOUNT comp – $15} Not always available, but the Aquarium holds special extended hours, where every exhibit is open, except for Lorikeet Forest. Admission after 5pm is typically twice the discount price.

6. Aquarium of the Pacific AAA Discount

You may be able to get 10% off when you show your SoCal AAA member card at Aquarium ticket windows. You may be able to get a bigger discount (up to 25% off) by stopping in at your SoCal AAA office.

7. Aquarium of the Pacific Military Discounts

Get your tickets in advance at any MWR/ITT office on base for an unspecified discount. Or get $3 off adult admission and $1.50 off child admission at the door (show ID).

8. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Show your Pacific Surfliner boarding pass at the Aquarium’s ticket window for a discount of $2 off adult and $1 off child admission.

9. METRO Discount

10. Conventioneer

After 2pm you can get 50% off if you show your Long Beach, Los Angeles County, or Orange County conventioneer badge. to receive a discount of 50 percent or more. NOTE: This offer only works a week before and a week after your convention is in town. (Afternoon only.)

11. Aquarium of the Pacific Coupon

From time to time the Aquarium offers a free child ticket with the purchase of a full-price adult ticket. Inquire at the door. Also, the Aquarium offers discount coupons through some corporations and credit unions. If you work for a big corporation with an employee benefits program, you might score tickets that way. Or check your credit union perks.

12. Aquarium of the Pacific Combo

Aquarium of the Pacific got together with a few other SoCal attractions to offer a bit off when you buy tickets directly from them. Be sure to check the blackout dates listed for each location. Currently their showing combo deals for the Aquarium plus: USS IOWA, or The Queen Mary, or Los Angeles Zoo.

Enjoy the frigid waters of the North Pacific and the colorful reefs of the Tropical Pacific. Come face-to-face with, and even touch, the ocean’s ultimate predators in Shark Lagoon and hand feed lorikeet birds … Aquarium of the Pacific

Know Before You Go

Aquarium of the Pacific Location

Official Info

Where to Park

The Aquarium will validate your parking stub for an $8 flat rate at the parking garage. You may also pay cash or credit card at the pay stations next to the elevators or credit card only at the exit gate.

Aquarium Hours

Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach open hours are 9am–6pm daily except on December 25 and during the Grand Prix of Long Beach (mid April). Check the official website for changes and updates before you head out — www.aquariumofpacific.org.

Best Time To Go

Weekends can be crowded, especially during the summer and holidays. Best time to go on Saturday or Sunday is early, around 9am. Best time to go on week days is after 2pm when school groups have gone.

Note: when you’re planning your visit, keep in mind that Aquarium of the Pacific is open every day except during Long Beach Grand Prix Week and Christmas Day.

Snacks

No outside food is allowed, but you can visit the Aquarium’s Café Scuba on the second floor, which is a cafeteria style restaurant. Some picnic tables are available if you want to eat outside.

Baby Stuff

No loaner strollers are available, but ask at the information desk if you want to borrow a free baby backpack.

Carrie, thanks for the kind words. The Aquarium is one of my favorites. I get a vicarious thrill when people reading my site go out and do the things I write about, especially when they save $20 before they go. Enjoy!

Make sure you are on the Los Angeles page for that deal source. I just checked and they do have the page up with tickets available. But if you’re on the Orange County page, or another city page, the search box won’t tell you.

Hello, I’m about to purchase the 59% off tickets, but I have a few questions. Is there a time restraint with the ticket? On the info page, it says something about 3pm-6pm. Am I only allowed in the venue during those ties, or are those the times I need to check in to receive my tickets? Or is the “3pm-6pm” a show, & that’s the one I’m allowed to go to? Because it also has faqs on the sidebar saying, “Are these good seats?” “Will my party be seated together?” So, just wondering. :T

The 59% off tix do have those stated time restrictions. If you want to go earlier, go for the other deal (not as cheap, but you can go anytime you want). The sidebar faq refers to general offers by the deal source and is not specific to the Aquarium of the Pacific. Don’t worry about those because your tickets are not for a show. You can wander around the aquarium for three hours and do whatever you want.

The harbor tour is extra and can be purchased when you get to the Aquarium (not included in any of the deals listed here). Or you can buy the tour as a package on the Aquarium website, but it still costs extra.